# Would like a custom cable!

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/would-like-a-custom-cable/17744>\
**Category:** New Product Ideas\
**Created:** [October 13, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/would-like-a-custom-cable/17744 "2010-10-13T23:17:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pomprocker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pomprocker](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/pomprocker)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2010, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/would-like-a-custom-cable/17744/1 "2010-10-13T23:17:18Z")

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I would like to have a custom cable to connect to my X10 CM11a power line controller.

The one provided with it is DB9 to 4p4c telephone connector for RS232 communications.

I needed a longer cable so I crimped 4p4c connectors onto both lines of a telephone cable used with a coupler and it did not work…communication errors.

I ended up using two stock serial cables in a row in order to get the length I need and it’s ridiculous.

I am already having to use a USB to serial converter. I wish it could be all built into one long cable ~25’

Here is what I have now:

[USB A/mini cable] → [USB Hub] → [USB Cable] → [Parallax USB-RS232] → [Serial Cable] → [Serial Cable] → [CM11a Cable] → [CM11a]

If the one cable could have USB A with built in FTDI and MAX232, 25 feet in length, and terminate with a 4p4c that would be awesome!

I have something like this already that I got from Adafruit. but it’s TTL levels and not very long and terminated with the jumper caps…

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**Author:** ![n1ist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@n1ist](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/n1ist)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/would-like-a-custom-cable/17744/2 "2010-10-14T17:22:45Z")

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I’m guessing that somewhere you ended up reversing the pins, either when making the cable or in the 4P4C coupler. I would determine the original cable’s pinout with an ohmmeter or continuity tester, and make my own longer one.

That would replace [Serial Cable] → [Serial Cable] → [CM11a Cable] with one cable.

/mike